Thread by @heartdocandcrew

Dear patients-

It’s been a difficult year and a half. We’ve had to provide your care from a distance, and frequently under duress. You’ve been sick and afraid and alone— except for us. A general mistrust for the medical community developed and been fostered by politicians

and members of the press and, of course, the ever present internet.

I want you to know something. Although, as in any profession, there are good doctors, ok doctors, and frankly, bad doctors, most of us are good. Some are even exceptional. We honestly care about the

well-being of you and your families, and we are invested in your improvement and your health— sometimes even more than you are.

I want you to know that if money was our object, there are far easier ways to achieve that goal, and that professions like finance and real estate

and administration make our salaries look like child’s play. We do ok, yes, and I’m not asking for your sympathy, but I’m trying to make clear that you aren’t an ATM to us.

More than anything, my patients, I want you to know how hard we’re trying. I want you to know that

we eat, sleep, and breathe you and your family members. Hell, sometimes we can’t sleep. We don’t eat. We just keep fighting. I need you to understand that when we lose someone, we ALL lose. And when you mourn, we mourn right along with you. Your momma is OUR momma. Your child is

OUR child. We’re out here— sometimes risking and neglecting our own families— in an effort to save yours.

We’re human. We CARE about you. We HATE to quit, and we HATE to lose. And when you weep, we weep right along

We’re tired, but we’re still here. We’re still fighting for you. Please help us.